Members of the Smith Center Lady Red basketball team have been named the NCKSSports.com/Cunningham Telephone and Cable Athletes of the Week.

Smith Center had an outstanding week last week in claiming the Mid-Continent League Tournament title on the girls side.  The Lady Red, who are on a five-game winning streak, had to win four games in the league tournament to win the championship.  As the #6 seed, they opened the tournament with a 70-11 win over Plainville on Saturday, 1/16.  They then picked up a 47-44 win in Hays against TMP on Tuesday, 1/19.  In the semifinals on Friday, 1/22, they used a strong defensive effort in a 40-27 win over Hoxie to advance to the championship game.  On Saturday, 1/23, they won 64-47 over Norton in WaKeeney to capture the title for the first time since 2012.  In the championship game, the Lady Red shot 6-16 from three-point land and 40% from the floor for the game.  Tallon Rentschler scored 27 to lead Smith Center, while Ashlyn Long scored 12 on four three-pointers.  Smith Center is now 9-2 on the season after winning the league tournament.

We will announce the winners each week. Remember, you can nominate an athlete from any school sport.